Leeds Teaching Hospitals Ask Patients To ‘Sit Up, Get Dressed, Keep Moving’

HealthMind & Body

The ‘Sit Up, Get Dressed, Keep Moving’ campaign encourages patients to get out of bed, wear their own clothes and stay mobile during their time in hospital.

This simple idea can support a faster recovery and enable patients to go home sooner.

Dr Eileen Burns, consultant for older people at LTHT and President of the British Geriatrics Society, said: “All patients, regardless of their age, can lose muscle strength if they’re sitting around for long periods of time. This is particularly true for older people.

Every 10 days sitting in hospital is the equivalent of 10 years of muscle ageing. For an older person this could be the difference between patients being able to go home and maintain their independence, or having to stay in hospital or move into a care home.”

This initiative comes on the back of the national ‘End PJ Paralysis’ campaign and encourages a collaborative approach between staff on the ward, patients and their families. The acute medicine wards, where many of our older patients are cared for, are already embracing the principles of this initiative, and the team are now rolling out the campaign across the Trust. They’re also asking for patients and their families to get involved too!

Alison Raycraft, lead nurse for older people at LTHT, said: “Some patients have told us that they thought they could only wear pyjamas or nightwear while they’re in hospital, and that’s not true. We’d love to see more patients up and about in their day clothes!

Patients can simply bring comfy clothes into hospital with them, and take some time each day to walk up and down the ward or, if they’re feeling up to it, around the site. And for families, it’s about encouraging your loved one to get out of bed and helping them by bringing in fresh clothes when you visit.

Little things like this can have a huge impact on someone’s independence and confidence, but also their mental health and wellbeing too. Our patients who get themselves dressed and up and about tell us that they feel much better and many are able to go home sooner too, which is fantastic.”

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